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Sunday, April 28, 2013

Two homes sustained significant damage forcing the occupants to seek temporary shelter but no one was injured on Saturday, April 27, in Chapel Oaks and Lanham.

Fire/EMS units from the Chapel Oaks area were alerted to a house fire at about 4:30 pm. Firefighters arrived at a 2-story single family home with fire showing. Firefighters knocked the fire down within 15 minutes. The Incident Commander determined the cause of the fire was electrical in nature and estimated fire loss at $100,000. The County Citizen Services Unit assisted the family of 6; 4 adults and 2 teenagers, with displacement assistance.

A unrelated home fire occurred just 15 minutes later at 9317 Kimbark Avenue in Lanham. Fire/EMS units responded to this fire at 4:45 pm and arrived at 9317 Kimbark Avenue, a 1-story with basement single family home, with fire showing. There were about 40 firefighter/medics working on the scene of this incident that required about 30 minutes to knock down. First arriving firefighters advanced hose lines into the home and were conducting a search of the basement for an unaccounted occupant. Fire conditions continued to intensify and the Incident Commander ordered all firefighters to evacuate. The unaccounted occupant was soon located at a neighbors home and was not injured. Firefighters regrouped and re-entered the home and extinguished the fire. Fire Investigators believe this fire may have started on the rear exterior of the home and extended to the interior. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire Investigators determined an estimated fire loss at $75,000.
The Citizen Services Unit assisted the displaced occupants.

Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor attended the University of Maryland Medical System Foundation's Shock Trauma Gala on Saturday, April 27, 2013. The gala was held at the Baltimore Convention Center. For more than40 years,Shock Trauma has been a global leader in trauma care at the heart of Maryland’s Medical System. More than150,000 peoplehave been served by our Shock Trauma Center. Please help me celebrate grateful patients and courageous families who donate organs of loved ones so others may have a new life.

Bashoor was requested by many for a photo op, here a just a few.

Marc Bashoor and wife Laura

Pete Mellits, Past Chief of the Bowie VFD and President of the Eastern Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (EIAFC) with Chief Bashoor and PGFD Assistant Fire Chief Ron Bridges

Friday, April 26, 2013

A Capitol Heights home scheduled for a Christmas in April renovation project tomorrow morning sustained significant damage from a fire this afternoon. Just after 2:00 pm, Friday, April 26, firefighters responded to a reported house fire in the 100 block of Iago Avenue. Fire/EMS units arrived to find a 1-story single family home with fire showing from the rear of the structure. An interior attack was initiated and a fire in a bedroom was quickly contained and extinguished. The fire caused an estimated $50,000 in estimated fire loss and displaced the two adult occupants. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The cause appears to be electrical in nature but official remains under investigation.

Christmas in April is a non-denominational volunteer organization that repairs the homes of senior citizens who are either low-income and/or physically challenged so they may live in warmth, safety, and independence.

After months of planning and preparation, Christmas in April culminates in a one day repair effort on the last Saturday in April.

Christmas in April relies on the community for support from volunteers to repair the homes, and seeks funding from businesses, corporations and individuals.

The success of Christmas in April is due to the cooperative efforts of County government, private businesses, civic and community organizations, churches and synagogues.

Members of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department are scheduled for several home renovation projects Saturday morning at homes throughout the County.

Public Safety Communication received several 911 calls this afternoon at about 2:30 pm reporting a townhouse fire in Largo. Firefighter/Medics were alerted to the fire and arrived at 544 Harry S. Truman Drive and found heavy fire coming from the rear of 544 Harry S. Truman Drive; a 2-story, end of the row townhouse.

Firefighters made their way to a second floor bedroom where the fire originated and initiated an interior attack. The fire extended up into the attic area before being extinguished. The adjacent townhouse was not damaged, however, vinyl siding on the adjacent row of townhouses melted from the heat of the fire some 50 feet away.

There were about 50 firefighters on the scene. The bulk of the fire was knocked down with 15 minutes of arrival.

The fire appears to have started in the second floor master bedroom. The cause remains under investigation but does not appear suspicious. Fire loss is estimated at $150,000. An adult female occupant and her dog will be displaced and are being assisted by the Citizen Services Unit and the American Red Cross.

A pair of Prince George's County Fire/EMS Paramedics were recognized today for their skills while providing treatment to an adult female in active labor with an imminent delivery. Fire Fighter/Medics John A. Bowman and Kacie E. Pressley were recognized at a ceremony held at the Prince George's Hospital Center where this incident came to a sucesful and happy conclusion.

On Saturday, February 29, 2013, Bowman and Pressley were the crew on board the Paramedic Unit from Fire/EMS Station 830 that was dispatched to a home on 58th Place in Cheverly for a report of a female in labor. During the patient assessment, the medics observed an umbilical cord presentation without any sign of birth. Umbilical cord presentation or prolapse is a rare obstetrical emergency that occurs when the umbilical cord descends alongside or beyond the fetal presenting part. It is life-threatening to the fetus since blood flow through the umbilical vessels is usually compromised from compression of the cord between the fetus and the uterus, cervix, or pelvic inlet.

The cord presented blue in color, indicating there was no blood getting to the baby from the mother. If this child was going to survive, it was imperative that something be done quickly. Relying on their training, Paramedic Pressley inserted her hand in the birth canal and alleviated pressure on the umbilical cord being caused by the baby moving down the birth canal. With her hand in place, the cord became pink and she felt a pulse. The medic crew were relieved to know the baby was now receiving blood. Having alleviated pressure on the umbilical cord, she could not remove her hand until directed by a physician to do so. Paramedic Bowman consulted with physicians at the Prince George’s Hospital Center and informed them of the severity of the situation, as well as alerted to prepare a delivery room. Immediately upon arriving at the hospital, the patient was assessed and without delay taken to Labor and Delivery. The physician determined that Pressley must accompany the patient into the Operating Room, where an emergency Cesarean Section would be performed. Her hand remained in place, keeping pressure off the umbilical cord until the baby was delivered. After a week in the hospital, the healthy baby girl, delivered at 36 weeks gestation, was discharged into the care of her parents.

For their performance on the scene of the aforementioned incident that resulted in saving the life of baby, Fire Fighter/Medic John A. Bowman and Fire Fighter/Medic Kacie E. Pressley were awarded a Fire/EMS Department Emergency Service Award.

In making the presentation, Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor stated, "Congratulations and thank you for an outstanding job. Your actions reflect favorably on you, the Fire/EMS Department, and Prince George’s County Government as a whole. I believe that this is the first time in the history of providing advanced life support in Prince George's County that a paramedic had to join labor and delivery in the OR with an emergency C-section"

At about 7:30 am, Friday, April 26, firefighters and paramedics were alerted to a house fire with the dispatcher providing additional information that the County Police were on the scene dealing with a disorderly person. Police had been dispatched and arrived at the location after being dispatched for a domestic situation.
Police officers arrived to find that an 18-year-old male was involved in a domestic with other family members at his mother’s house. It is alleged that he physically removed his grandfather from the house, re-entered and intentionally set fire to the home’s interior and remained inside. Arriving police officers notified their dispatcher to alert the Fire Department and proceeded to use fire extinguishers from their cruisers in an attempt to knock down the fire located just inside a 1st floor window. The fire continued to grow in intensity and the officers were forced back from the intense heat and thick smoke now consuming that portion of the house. The teen appeared in a second floor window and with the heat and smoke surrounding him; he retreated to the roof just above where the fire was located. At some point the teen dispensed an unknown type of product down onto the police officers trying to coax him down. Fearing the product may be flammable the officers retreated a safe distance from the fire all the while continuing to try to talk the teen down off of the roof which was now on fire.

Firefighters from Oxon Hill arrived at 5609 Woodland Drive in the Forest Heights community to find the 2-story home with heavy fire and smoke showing from the first floor. The crews witnessed numerous police officers on the scene and a subject on the roof. Crews prepared themselves to advance hose lines into the house as the teen on the roof, now nearly invisible from the thick smoke, jumped to the ground and was immediately taken into custody.

After the scene appeared safe with the subject in custody, firefighters entered the structure and extinguished the fire within 15 to 20 minutes.

The male was transported to a hospital by paramedics for a mental and physical evaluation of any possible injuries and other medical conditions. No other civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

Prince George’s County Fire Investigators are leading the investigation into this incident. The cause of the fire is incendiary with fire loss estimated at $80,000. An adult female, the teen’s mother, will be displaced and assisted by the County Citizen Services Unit and the American Red Cross.

Fire Investigators stated that charges against the 18-year-old male include 1st Degree Arson, 1st Degree Malicious Burning, 1st Degree Destruction of Property and 10 counts of 1st Degree Assault on a Police Officer. The Fire/EMS Department is not releasing the teens name because he was treated and transported and is protected by HIPAA and patient privacy laws.

The following video shows the burning home with the teen walking on the roof just prior to him jumping off and taken into custody. It has been edited by the Fire/EMS Department to link 2 cell phone video clips together and to remove audio. The cell phone video was obtained from public safety personnel documenting the unfolding scene.

At about 7:30 am firefighters and paramedics were alerted for a house fire with police on the scene dealing with a disorderly person. Police had been dispatched to the house earlier for a domestic situation.

Firefighters from Oxon Hill arrived at 5609 Woodland Drive to find a 2 story home with fire showing from the first floor, reports of a male walking on the roof just above the fire and numerous police on the scene.

It was reported the suspect set the house on fire. Police Officers used fire extinguishers from their cruisers in an attempt to extinguish the fire but the fire was too far advanced to have any effect on the fire.

The male jumped from the roof to escape the intense heat and was immediatley taken into custody.

After the scene was declared safe with the subject in custody, firefighters entered the structu r e and extinguished the fire within 15 to 20 minutes. No injuries were reported.

The male was transported to a hospital for mental evaluation, treament for possible injuries and other medical conditions.

Fire Investigators are documenting the scene and will be charging the male with First Degree Arson, Malicious Destruction of Property, Assault on a Police Officer and other charges.

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Thursday, April 25, 2013

A class of recruit firefighters will run across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in what has become a tradition of the soon to graduate personnel. Everyone is invited to either run or walk across the pedestrian path starting near the National Harbor across the WWB into Virginia and return.

Career Recruit School #47 is scheduled to be joined by County Executive Rushern L. Baker, Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor, fire academy instructors and others during the run. Anyone wishing to participate should gather by 7:45 am, Friday, April 26 for a start time of 8:00 am.

The best access for media is a path located in the rear of the new gas station located on National Harbor Boulevard, vehicles can not drive on path but it is within walking distance of the gas station.

Participants should park at the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Police Substation on National Harbor Boulevard.

A pair of Prince George's County Firefighter/Medics will be recognized for extraordinary medical care
performed during childbirth. The actions of one of these paramedics undoubtedly saved the life of an about-to-be-born infant. The Firefighter/Medic crew will be recognized by the Fire/EMS Department as well as hospital staff at Prince George's Hospital Center.

The care provided by one particular paramedic will be highlighted as her story and performance during this incident goes beyond just delivering a patient to the hospital labor and delivery room. Her story is remarkable and must be heard.

WHAT: Recognition of exemplary care by Paramedics

WHEN: Friday, April 26, 1:00 pm

WHERE: Prince George's Hospital Center - 4th Floor

The recognition will be in the Medical Staff Conference Room on the 4th Floor of the ACF Building. The ACF is at the front part of the hospital and does not connect to the fourth floor of the old building, so you have to take the elevators from the Main Lobby which is next / on the same floor to the ED.

Once you come off the elevator on the fourth floor. Go right to the end of the hallway, take a left down that hallway, the meeting room is the first door on the left.

A large pile of mulch was reported smoldering just before
8:00 pm Wednesday at an Upper Marlboro area commercial reclamation facility.The lone initial unit dispatched from the
Ritchie Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the scene at 2001 Ritchie-Marlboro
Road and found a 30 X 100 foot pile of mulch burning and immediately called for
additional resources.

The burning mulch pile provided vivid images of intense heat
and flames illuminating the night sky with a red glare.Winds gusting up to 20 to 30 mph played a
factor possibly in the ignition and certainly in the rapid spread of the
fire.Wind direction changed multiple
times during the initial operations causing suppression units to move personnel
and apparatus quickly to prevent injury and damage.Repositioning delayed and extended the time
required to set up a water supply.Safety
of personnel was the highest priority on this incident.

The gusty winds whipped up flying hot embers that ignited
brush fires on surrounding adjacent property.Firefighters were positioned on the outer perimeters of the property to
quickly respond to multiple brush fires.

The relatively rural location meant there were no water
hydrants nearby.A water shuttle was
established using 9 tankers shuttling thousands of gallons of water between the
burning pile and the closest hydrant about 2 miles away.Fire Department water tankers from Charles
County and Anne Arundel County were used in addition to Prince George’s County
tankers.

Foam and Crash Units from Joint Base Andrews,
Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Naval District Washington were
utilized in addition to County foam units from the College Park station.Application of foam to burning mulch will
smother the surface level fire and penetrate into the deep-seated heat to cool
down the internal temperature of mulch piles.Numerous engine companies and 4-wheel drive brush units worked through this
morning extinguishing brush fires and wetting down hot spots.

Front end loaders and other heavy duty construction
equipment belonging to the commercial property were utilized to separate the
burning pile allowing firefighters an opportunity to wet down the area which
was then covered with dirt.

Canteen units from the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire
and Rescue Associations Ladies Auxiliary and Anne Arundel County “Fire Alarmers”
were on location and provided much needed relief for personnel that had been
working for hours to extinguish the fire.Firefighters that had been working for extended periods were sent
through a rehab area where they were evaluated, re-hydrated, refreshed and sent
back to work.

About 150 personnel including firefighters, paramedics,
command officers and support personnel worked into the early morning to bring
the fire under control.At about 4:00
am, Thursday, the majority of the visible fire had been extinguished and most
of the suppression units were placed in-service and returned home.About 5 units remain on the scene today assisting
in wetting down the dispersed pile of mulch.Incident commanders estimate the large pile of mulch will continue to
smolder for days.

At no time were any residents or structures in danger from
the fire or flying embers.Safety
remains the highest priority of the incident and no injuries have been
reported.The cause of the fire remains
under investigation.

The pile of mulch will continue to smolder for a couple of
days and some flare-ups will occur however the risk of another rapid spread of
fire is greatly diminished by the water and foam saturation of the mulch.The Fire/EMS Department will continue to
monitor the situation for the next few days.

The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Department gratefully acknowledges the assistance of jurisdictions from the
region that provided mutual aid to assist in the extinguishment and provided crews and apparatus to transfer into some of our vacant stations.Additionally, the Department acknowledges and commends Incident Commanders, the dispatch
personnel at Public Safety Communications and all the men and women; career,
civilian and volunteer, that spent hours committed to extinguishing the fire.

These images and the one above are provided courtesy of the Local News Service shared Helicopter

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Prince George's County Public Safety Valor Awards was held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. The event, held at Martins Crosswinds in Greenbelt, was one of the highest attended events in recent memory with over 700 in attendance.

The following members of the Fire/EMS Department were awarded with Valor Medals.

GOLD MEDAL OF VALOR

AND

2012 PARAMEDICS OF THE YEAR

Presented to

FIRE FIGHTER/MEDIC TECHNICIAN JAMIESON P. SCARLATA

﻿

FIRE FIGHTER/MEDIC EDWARD G. ALDACO

﻿

PARAMEDIC STEPHEN G. CHAGNON

SILVER MEDAL OF VALOR

Presented to

BERWYN HEIGHTS VOLUNTEER DEPUTY CHIEF CHASE J. FABRIZIO

BERWYN HEIGHTS VOLUNTEER CAPTAIN RYAN R. WAGNER

FIRE FIGHTER/MEDIC LEONARD F. COLLINS

On Tuesday, April 21, 2012, units from the Prince George’s County Fire/ EMS Department were dispatched to a reported Confined Space Rescue in the 5400 block of Van Dusen Road. A contingent of firefighters, paramedics, and members of the Technical Rescue team arrived on the scene to find an adult male with his legs pinned in a mulch dye machine and in excruciating pain.

After ensuring the power was off, Fire Fighter/Medic Aldaco and Paramedic Stephen Chagnon entered a dangerous area of the machine and conducted a patient assessment. Upon completing their evaluation and fearing the patient’s legs would need to be amputated in order to extricate him, they requested a surgical team from Shock Trauma. Despite very adverse conditions and placing themselves in harm’s way, they both worked diligently to maintain the victim’s medical status and assist with the extrication. Volunteer Captain Wagner and Volunteer Deputy Chief Fabrizio also entered the mulch dye machine and assisted with developing a plan to speedily remove the patient.

After some time passed, Fire Fighter/Medic Technician Scarlata relieved Paramedic Chagnon and entered the machine to maintain the patient’s medical status. Fire Fighter/Medic Collins positioned himself on a ladder above the mulch dye machine to assist the crews on the inside. He worked tirelessly to provide resources and recommendations on the extrication, as well as assisted with the extrication. Fire Fighter/Medic Collins was pivotal in ensuring the safety of rescue personnel, while working diligently from a ladder throughout the entire operation.

After nearly two hours, the victim was extricated without having to remove his legs and is expected to fully recover.

﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿On the evening of Friday, June 1, 2012, units from the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department were dispatched to the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River for a report of youths stranded in swift moving water. The 3 young males were stranded on the base of the bridge support, in the middle of a waterway that was approximately 100 feet wide. The water depth varied as a result of several severe thunderstorms passing through the Metropolitan area and causing flash flooding. The entire region had been under a tornado watch all day. The current was strong and swift, with the water level rising. The location of the victims was created by an eddy that was in jeopardy of being compromised by the fast rising flood water. Due to their extended time in the water, the potential for hypothermic conditions existed. Additionally, if the victims came into contact with the debris being washed down the waterway, they could possibly be knocked back into the current and seriously injured.

﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿

FIRE FIGHTER/MEDIC BOBBY J. BLEVINS

﻿

At the direction of Lieutenant Brushwood, who coordinated this rescue operation, Fire Fighter/Medic Myers and Fire Fighter Lambert assembled and maintained an anchor and lowering system, using an aerial from the Truck 801 from Hyattsville. Their quick thinking and tireless efforts ensured Fire Fighter/Medic Ford’s safety, as they lowered him into the rapidly moving water three times to affect the rescue of the victims one at a time. Fire Fighter/Medic Blevins set up the hauling system that was used to bring up the rescuer along with the youths. By now, the water was rising quickly and a great deal of debris was moving swiftly downstream. An additional hazard was the large hydraulics created because of the construction of the bridge.

The quick, sound thinking and ingenuity of Lieutenant Brushwood, as well the outstanding skills demonstrated by all personnel involved, resulted in the quick rescue of the victims from this perilous situation.

Additionally, for his “courage under fire” and ability to lead others in the life or death situations on multiple occasions, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor is pleased to name Fire Lieutenant Jeff Brushwood as the Prince George’s County Fire /EMS Department’s “2012 Fire Fighter of the Year.”

﻿

BRONZE MEDAL OF VALOR

Presented to

KENTLAND VOLUNTEER CAPTAIN RICHARD A. GREEN

KENTLAND VOLUNTEER SERGEANT JOSEPH D. NEVILLE

KENTLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER TIMOTHY M. JONES

CHAPEL OAKS VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER CHRISTIAN K. WHITING

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 2, 2012, Fire/EMS Department units responded to 5396 Sheriff Road for a reported fire. En route to the scene, Public Safety Communications advised that someone was possibly trapped in the building. Upon arrival, these firefighters encountered a 2-story, single-family dwelling with fire showing from the second floor on side Alpha and Delta.
The first arriving crew laid a supply line, gave the appropriate return, passed command, and advanced an attack line into the house. Crew member, Fire Fighter Whiting, entered the residence and ascended the stairs to the second floor, encountering zero visibility. He quickly discovered a victim near the top of the stairs and alerted his crew members that he had found someone.
Arriving seconds later, Captain Green, Sergeant Neville, and Fire Fighter Jones entered the burning structure and immediately encountered an adult male victim nearly overcome by smoke and struggling on the first floor. Sergeant Neville and Fire Fighter Jones assisted the victim to safety and placed him in the care of EMS personnel, while the remainder of their crew ascended the stairs to begin searching for the origin of the fire. They arrived at the top of the stairs just as Fire Fighter Whiting called out that he had a victim. Captain Green and Fire Fighter Whiting recovered the unconscious victim, also an adult male, and swiftly removed him to safety.
One patient was transported to Prince George’s Hospital Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The second patient was in transported to Medstar, in critical condition. Both victims have since recovered from their injuries sustained in this incident.
For unusual personal risk, zeal, and judgment, Volunteer Captain Richard Green, Volunteer Sergeant Joseph Neville, Volunteer Fire Fighter Timothy Jones, and Volunteer Fire Fighter Christian Whiting are awarded a Bronze Medal of Valor.

SILVER MEDAL OF VALOR

Presented to

WILLIAM H. MILLS, JR., (RETIRED) FIRE FIGHTER LIEUTENANT

Retired Fire Fighter Lieutenant William “Billy” Mills was on his way to a store in the Pointer Ridge area, when he saw a column of smoke. Having served 20 years as a firefighter in the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, he instinctively knew the smoke was emanating from a structure on fire. Following the smoke, he arrived at the scene of the incident the same time as the first arriving firefighters from the Bowie Pointer Ridge Station #843. While the crew was donning their Personal Protective Equipment and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, Lieutenant Mills went to the rear of the house and performed a quick assessment of fire and smoke conditions from all sides of the structure. Entering the gated backyard, he encountered a black Labrador Retriever frantically scurrying about the yard. Seeing Lieutenant Mills, the faithful pet went immediately to the sliding glass doors on the rear of the house and barked continually while looking inside. Following the dog’s lead, Lieutenant Mills looked inside the home and saw an adult female on her knees and unable to move any further. Surrounded by thick smoke and intense heat, the woman was in dire need of being removed from the burning residence. Wearing civilian clothes and with no personal protective equipment to protect him, Lieutenant Mills entered the house, going approximately 4 feet inside, and pulled the victim out into the backyard. She had already sustained burn and smoke inhalation injuries.
Lieutenant Mills, with the assistance of former Volunteer Fire Chief Hugh Owens, a neighborhood resident, carried the female to the front yard and placed her in the care of paramedics. The patient was transported to a Burn Unit facility for treatment. Due to the actions of Lieutenant Mills and the family dog, the woman’s injuries were not life threatening.
For great personal risk, zeal, and judgment, Retired Fire Fighter Lieutenant William H. Mills, Jr., is awarded a Silver Medal of Valor.

In the early morning hours of Monday, February 17, 2012, members of Prince George’s County Public Safety worked together to remove two occupants from the area of a burning townhouse. Police officers on routine patrol saw the heavy smoke and fire coming from 6135 Hil-Mar Drive in District Heights. Officers communicated their location and advised they encountered a 2-story, end-row townhouse with heavy fire showing from the first floor and a child trapped.

Officers Watson and Wormuth went to the home next door when they heard frantic screams from a man trapped on the second floor. They entered the house, now filled with thick black smoke, and crawled up the stairs. Upon reaching the second floor, the officers located an elderly wheelchair-dependent male and carried him down the stairs to safety.

Meanwhile, Officer Johnson separated from his fellow officers and responded to a distraught woman standing in front of the townhouse that was on fire. The officer was able to learn from the woman that her 2-year-old child was still inside a second floor bedroom directly above where the bulk of the fire was located. The first unit to arrive from the Fire/EMS Department was District Heights Fire/EMS Station 826. While en route to the scene, the firefighters were informed by dispatchers that a child was reported still inside the burning townhouse. The first arriving firefighters quickly advanced hose lines into the burning structure and started to knock down the fire. Despite high heat and thick smoke, Fire Captain Doubleday and Fire Fighter/Medic Brewer moved ahead of the hose line and entered the first floor of the home to search for the reportedly trapped child. Not finding anyone on the first floor, with the fire in the stairwell now knocked down, Captain Doubleday and Fire Fighter/Medic Brewer proceeded upstairs to continue searching.

Before any other firefighters arrived, Police Officer Johnson, who is also a volunteer firefighter, retrieved a ground ladder from the fire apparatus and positioned it at the second floor bedroom window, identified by the mother the room were her daughter was located. This action saved valuable seconds, as the second crew to arrive on the scene was immediately able to ascend the ladder. The crew from Silver Hill Fire/EMS Station 829 arrived, and Captain Elie and Fire Fighter/Medic Brown, without the protection of a charged hose line, quickly ascended the ladder that was being held in position by Officer Johnson. Notwithstanding the extreme heat and blinding smoke, Captain Elie entered the bedroom window and after a brief search located the young victim. He then passed her out of the window where Fire Fighter/Medic Smart, who had also ascended the ladder, was waiting to receive the child. The little girl was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Fire Fighter/Medics Smart and Cooke immediately began ALS care, with Fire Fighter/Medic Smart completing a very difficult intubation. The pair was successful in regaining a pulse prior to arriving at a nearby hospital. Tragically, the child succumbed to her injuries a few days later.

For great personal risk, zeal, and judgment, Fire Fighter/Medic Captain John Elie and Fire Fighter/Medic Jacob T. Brown are awarded a Silver Medal of Valor.

On the afternoon of August 8, 2012, units from the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department responded to a fire in the 6300 block of Carrington Court in Capital Heights. These firefighters arrived on the scene, where they encountered a two-story duplex with fire showing on the first floor and a report of 2 children trapped inside. Despite heavy fire and blinding smoke on the first floor, Lieutenant Morehead and Fire Fighter Sims entered the house to search for the trapped occupants. The intense heat had caused the first hose line to burst after the pair came through the door, leaving the 2 firefighters without the protection of a charged hose line.

Not finding anyone on the first floor, Lieutenant Morehead directed Fire Fighter Sims to try making it up the interior stairs. He then advised Fire Fighter Sims that he was going outside to ascend the ladder to the second floor. Lieutenant Morehead entered the burning structure through a bedroom window and was met by heavy, black smoke. Removing the mattress from a bed, he and Fire Fighter Sims Fighter, who had made it upstairs, began searching that area. Lieutenant Morehead discovered the 2 young victims lying on the floor near a window, with an older male child shielding a small female. He alerted Fire Fighter Sims that he had located both victims and needed his help. Fire Fighter Sims advised Volunteer Fire Fighter Dalton of the situation, and the pair assisted Lieutenant Morehead with removing the boy and girl by way of ground ladders.

A five-year-old female and a 15-year-old male were rescued from the burning home. A third victim, an adult male, presented himself with possible burn and smoke injuries and lacerations likely incurred while escaping the fire. An initial assessment revealed the 2 young victims were not breathing and had no pulse. All 3 patients were place in the care of paramedics, who quickly began administering treatment. The 2 critically injured young patients were transported within 5 minutes after Fire/EMS units arrived on the scene, with both regaining a pulse prior to arriving at the hospital.

Although given the best possible pre-hospital care, tragically, both children succumbed to their injuries a short time after reaching the hospital. The adult male has since recovered from his injuries.

On Thursday, March 15, 2012, at 9:00 A.M., President Barak Obama was scheduled to visit Prince George's Community College in Largo. William “Hawk” Hawkins was driving his Fire/EMS Department vehicle on John Hanson Highway, Route 50, approaching the Capital Beltway, Route 95/495, when he noticed a Ford pickup truck in front of him weaving wildly across lanes as they took the sky ramp over the beltway. Hawk, fearing for his safety and the safety of other motorists, radioed the incident into Public Safety Communications and requested police assistance to stop the vehicle. He activated his emergency warning devices but kept a distance from the vehicle. Hawk maneuvered his vehicle to match that of the weaving truck and to keep back traffic. The pair passed numerous police cars positioned on the side of the road and awaiting the order to block exits for the arrival of the presidential motorcade.

Hawk continued to keep Public Safety Communications informed of what was happening. The truck, still on the beltway, was now approaching Allentown Road at speeds upwards of 80 mph. Suddenly, it veered into the median strip and then back onto the roadway, barely missing one of the police vehicles waiting for the presidential motorcade. Hawk, continuing to operate alone, advised communications that he was going to "try stopping this guy before he kills someone.” Using his vehicle to force the pickup truck onto the ramp and over a concrete curb, he proceeded to attempt its disablement. The truck weaved across several lanes of traffic as they approached the main gate of Andrews Air Force Base. After forcing the pick up onto a curb at a turn lane, Hawk quickly exited his vehicle and approached it on foot and encountered the driver trying unsuccessfully to reverse the vehicle. He opened the driver’s door, yanked the keys from the ignition, and observed an 84-year-old driver, who, it was ultimately determined, was suffering a diabetic emergency. Hawkins called for fire and EMS units to provide care for the man.

For great personal risk, zeal, and ingenuity, William J. Hawkins is awarded a Silver Medal of Valor.

BRONZE MEDAL OF VALOR

Presented to

FIRE FIGHTER LIEUTENANT THOMAS D. JENKINS

FIRE FIGHTER/MEDIC DONALD C. BRONSON

FIRE FIGHTER/MEDIC MICHAEL K. FLEMING

FIRE FIGHTER/MEDIC MILES T. PHILLIPS

On the afternoon of Monday, February 6, 2012, Fire/EMS units from the Fort Washington area responded to 8314 Bernard Drive for a report of a child who had fallen from a bed. Fire Fighter/Medics Fleming and Phillips arrived on the scene, where they encountered a young male who was semi-conscious and lethargic but responsive to painful stimuli. The patient appeared to improve once inside the ambulance but reverted to a semi-conscious state immediately on transport. At that time, an Advanced Life Support unit was requested to meet the ambulance at Livingston Terrace and Oxon Hill Road. Initially, the ambulance crew was going to transport the child to United Medical Center, a satellite location for Children’s Hospital. However, when the paramedics arrived and further assessed the child, a decision was made to instead transport to Children’s National Medical Center’s main campus in Washington, D.C. An evaluation by the hospital’s emergency staff revealed the patient was suffering from exposure to Carbon Monoxide.

The child’s father, who had accompanied him on transport, was also showing signs and symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. He was notified of the exposure and asked to contact family members still in the home. After several attempts, the man told the emergency room staff that he was unable to reach anyone. The hospital contacted personnel in the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Watch Office and advised them of the situation. Public Safety Communications was alerted and Fire/EMS units were once again dispatched to Bernard Drive, this time for a possible Carbon Monoxide incident.

Fire Fighter/Medics Fleming and Phillips, the ambulance crew that responded on the initial call, were returning from Children’s National Medical Center when they were alerted to return to the scene of the incident. The first to arrive, Fire Fighter/Medics Fleming and Phillips, despite the potentially high levels of Carbon Monoxide, quickly gained access into the residence. Upon searching the home, they found 5 unresponsive occupants—3 children and 2 adults. Fire Fighter/Medics Fleming and Phillips quickly grabbed the children and carried them to safety. Lieutenant Jenkins and Fire Fighter/Medic Bronson arrived on Engine 832 within seconds after the ambulance. The pair rescued the remaining victims, one at a time, from the extremely dangerous atmosphere. After making the rescues, Lieutenant Jenkins and Fire Fighter/Medic Bronson continued to provide Ems care to the adult patients until additional resources arrived.

All of the patients, including the child already at Children’s National Medical Center and his father, were flown to the University of Maryland Baltimore for hyperbaric treatment. Thankfully, everyone has since made a full recovery.

On February 24, 2012, firefighters arrived on the scene of a working house fire at 6404-57th Avenue in Riverdale Heights. Lieutenant Ethan Sorrell and Sergeant Kevin O’Toole had the responsibility of performing search and rescue efforts on the first floor. The two moved ahead of the engine crew and hose line and forced open the front door to begin searching. Lieutenant Sorrell and Sergeant O’Toole knew they had a basement fire and needed to work fast if a victim was to survive the intense heat and blinding smoke. The pair decided to split left and right to seek out any occupants. Just as Lieutenant Sorrell and Sergeant O’Toole met near the center of the house, conditions quickly changed. Suddenly, a significant event occurred that mirrored a flashover and backdraft combined.

Rapidly changing conditions forced Lieutenant Sorrell and Sergeant O’Toole to the floor. The heat level had risen greatly in a matter of seconds; and, with the increasing smoke visibility was now zero. The two firefighters retreated toward the door but with no immediate relief, became disoriented. A “May Day” alert was sounded, and Lieutenant Sorrell and Sergeant O’Toole activated their two-way radio emergency identifier as they desperately attempted to find a way out. Unable to locate the door, they broke out a window but immediately realized it was too small for Lieutenant Sorrell to help Sergeant O’Toole escape. With the heat becoming increasingly unbearable and no sign of assistance from the outside, it was imperative that they find an alternative means of escape. Lieutenant Sorrell located and broke out another window and dove through it. Once outside, he began screaming for crews to get inside to Sergeant O’Toole. He removed his breathing air regulator, thinking no one could hear him if he kept it on. Several other firefighters had also sustained injuries and were lying in the front yard, as other arriving firefighters provided first aid.

Remembering he had promised Sergeant O’Toole he would “be back for him…to hang on,” Lieutenant Sorrell forced open the closed door and reentered the house. This time, his breathing air regulator was not in place. Hooking his foot on the door sill, he swept the floor and located his barely conscious fallen comrade. Sitting him up and grabbing him beneath his shoulders, Lieutenant Sorrell dragged Sergeant O’Toole out of the outside onto the front door step before collapsing himself.

Lieutenant Sorrell suffered respiratory burns in his airway, which were centimeters from being closed off upon arriving at the Burn Center. Sergeant O'Toole suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 50 percent of his body. His condition required a lengthy hospital stay, and he is currently continuing his recovery process.

For great personal risk using the highest degree of judgment and zeal, Lieutenant Ethan D. Sorrell is awarded a Silver Medal of Valor.

LODD April 15, 2016

Fire Fighter/Medic Lieutenant John "Skillet" Ulmschneider

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Tragically firefighters will find pets that have been injured in home fires. Sometimes owners are not availiable to bring their pet to a emergency vet or may not have the resources to afford medical care. The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department and the Anne Arundel County SPCA have teamed up and created a fund whereas medical care for the pet would be covered in part or in full.
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